Myrren's Gift (The Quickening, Book 1) by Fiona McIntosh

For the sake of an imperiled state, the road among "traitor" and "savior" needs to blur . . . and vanish. even though slightly undefined, Wyl Thirsk needs to now imagine the function he has been destined for considering start: commander of the Morgravian military -- an grand accountability that calls him to the royal palace of the crown prince Celimus. Already a merciless despot who delights within the discomfort of others, Celimus enjoys forcing his new basic to witness his wicked "entertainments." yet a kindness to a condemned witch in her ultimate, agonizing hours earns younger Thirsk a unbelievable bequest, whereas inflaming the wrath of his liege lord. With struggle looming within the north, Wyl needs to obey Celimus's treacherous dictates and adopt a suicidal trip to an enemy court docket -- armed with a mysterious strength which may turn out either boon and curse. For except he accepts Myrren's reward, it is going to absolutely wreck him . . . and the land he needs to shield.

All isn't good within the Letherii Empire. Rhulad Sengar, the Emperor of one thousand Deaths, spirals into insanity, surrounded by way of sycophants and brokers of his Machiavellian chancellor. in the meantime, the Letherii mystery police behavior a crusade of terror opposed to their very own humans. The Errant, as soon as a farseeing god, is without warning ignorant of the long run. Conspiracies seethe through the palace, because the empire - pushed via the corrupt and self-interested - edges ever-closer to all-out struggle with the neighboring kingdoms. The nice Edur fleet--its warriors chosen from 1000's of people--draws nearer. among the warriors are Karsa Orlong and Icarium Lifestealer--each destined to go blades with the emperor himself. That but extra blood is to be spilled is inevitable. .. in contrast backdrop, a band of fugitives search a fashion out of the empire, yet one in every of them, worry Sengar, needs to locate the soul of Scabandari Bloodeye. it truly is his wish that the soul may also help halt the Tiste Edur, and so keep his brother, the emperor. but, touring with them is Scabandari's so much historic foe: Silchas break, brother of Anomander Rake. And his factors are whatever yet sure - for the injuries he incorporates on his again, made by way of the blades of Scabandari, are nonetheless clean. Fate decrees that there's to be a reckoning, for such bloodshed can't move unanswered--and it will likely be a depending on an incredible scale. it is a brutal, harrowing novel of conflict, intrigue and darkish, uncontrollable magic; this can be epic fable at its such a lot resourceful, storytelling at its such a lot exciting.

Town of Qushmarrah is uneasy less than the guideline of the Herodians --short, balding males whose armies might by no means have conquered the town had no longer the good and evil wizard Narkar been killed and sealed in his fort; had no longer the savage nomad Datars grew to become coat and sided with the invaders; had no longer a few traitor opened the fort to them.

It truly is an Age of Legends. lower than the watchful eye of the Giants, the kingdoms of fellows rose to energy. Now, the Giant-King has slain the final of the Serpents and ushered in an period of untold peace and prosperity. the place a fire-blackened wasteland as soon as stood, golden towns flourish in verdant fields. it really is an Age of Heroes.

The competition of the Panathenaia, held in Athens each summer season to rejoice the birthday of the city's goddess, Athena, was once the atmosphere for performances of the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey via specialist reciters or "rhapsodes. " The works of Plato are our major surviving resource of data approximately those performances.

The Thirsk home in Argorn had been a happy one despite the head of the household having been absent so often. Gueryn had agreed several years back to take on what seemed the ridiculously light task of watching over the raising of the young Thirsk. But he had known from the steely gaze of the old warrior that this was a role the General considered precious and he would entrust this job only to his accomplished captain, whose mind was as sharp as the blade he wielded with such skill. Gueryn understood and with a quiet regret at leaving his beloved Legion, he had moved to live among the rolling hills of Argorn.

He remembered the words of ever-wise Fergys Thirsk as if they had been spoken yesterday. And Magnus had spent the rest of his life wishing that he had listened to his friend's well-intentioned wisdom instead of following what he soon realized was nothing more than lust. The promised dowry came but Morgravia was already a rich realm. What he had not bargained on were the zealots who followed Adana and, using her influence, weaseled their way into the fabric of Morgravian life, promoting fear and loathing.

A gruff voice said. "It is, sire," another man's voice answered, and then the owner of that voice shuffled past them carrying rolls of documents. "Ah, Orto, you have the boy? " Wyl emerged fully into the study and came face to face with the man he had met only briefly once, the man his father had died protecting. Magnus had headed north to Felrawthy almost immediately after Wyl's arrival and this was their first occasion to meet again. He noticed that the King was tall but stooped and he appeared much older, even since their first, very hurried, talk.